Professional Learning Specialist
John Pauls, Ed.D.
Dr. John Pauls is a resident of Jacksonville, Florida, and has worked in education in a variety of roles- including as a self-contained teacher for students K-5 students with autism spectrum disorder, special education administrator, instructional technology district administrator, and currently as an instructional designer and professor for a private university.
Dr. Pauls received his BS in Organizational Leadership and MBA from Bethel University, and his Specialist Degree and Doctorate Degree in Education, Curriculum and Learning, Instructional Design & Technology from the University of West Florida. Dr. Pauls has presented at a variety of conferences and has had the privilege of working with school districts around the country as an NCCE Professional Learning Specialist.
Dr. Pauls is also currently a co-primary investigator and developer for a 3.5 million dollar U.S. Department of Education research grant looking at the impact of gamification using Minecraft on STEM performance for individuals with special needs, known as the U.L.T.R.A. Initiative (Utilizing and Leveraging Technology to Rethink Accessibility). Dr. Pauls’ dissertation, Instructional Design and Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Dick and Carey Model is available via ProQuest.
Dr. Pauls enjoys helping others explore innovation and technology in their lives and publishes regular content on YouTube (Learn with Dr. John L. Pauls and Innovation Weekly with Dr. John L. Pauls), and on the Innovation Weekly podcast (available wherever you get your podcasts). Dr. Pauls’ designs and facilitates professional development on a wide array of topics, including Microsoft 365, Accessibility in the Classroom, 21st Century Learning Design, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Gamification in the Classroom, A.I. in Education, and much more.
John received his BS in Organizational Leadership and MBA from Bethel University, and his EdS in Curriculum and Learning, Instructional Design & Technology from the University of West Florida. John is currently preparing to defend his doctoral dissertation in the same concentration from UWF, titled “Teachers’ Perceptions Using the Dick and Carey Instructional Design Model with Autism Evidence-Based Practices”. John has presented at a variety of conferences and has had the privilege of working with school districts around the country.
John is currently an instructional designer for Jacksonville University, as well as a primary investigator and developer for a US DOE research grant looking at the impact of gamification on STEM performance for individuals with special needs.